Resin container for stereolithography

Abstract

According to some aspects, a storage unit for storing a photopolymer resin is provided. The storage unit may comprise a photopolymer resin, a bottom face comprising at least one region of actinically transparent material, the actinically transparent material being actinically transparent with respect to the photopolymer resin, at least one wall extending upwards from said bottom face comprising at least one region of actinically opaque material, the actinically opaque material being actinically opaque with respect to the photopolymer resin, and a lid comprising the actinically opaque material and removably connectable to the at least one wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A storage unit, comprising:
 a photopolymer resin; 
 a bottom face comprising at least one region of actinically transparent material, the actinically transparent material being actinically transparent with respect to the photopolymer resin; 
 at least one wall extending upwards from said bottom face comprising at least one region of actinically opaque material, the actinically opaque material being actinically opaque with respect to the photopolymer resin; and 
 a lid comprising the actinically opaque material and removably connectable to the at least one wall. 
 
     
     
       2. The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom face, the at least one wall and the lid form an enclosure that is actinically opaque but for the at least one region of actinically transparent material. 
     
     
       3. The storage unit of  claim 1 , comprising four walls extending upwards from the bottom face, each wall comprising the actinically opaque material. 
     
     
       4. The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wall includes a spout. 
     
     
       5. The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom face is formed from the actinically opaque material but for the at least one region of actinically transparent material. 
     
     
       6. The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the storage unit is configured to be installable into an stereolithographic additive fabrication device. 
     
     
       7. The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one region of actinically transparent material is vertically offset from a lowest level of the bottom face. 
     
     
       8. The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a plurality of tabs adapted to be actuated to create a locking engagement between the lid and the at least one wall. 
     
     
       9. The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the lid includes a raised portion configured to mate with the bottom face of a second storage unit. 
     
     
       10. The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom face is configured to mate with a third storage unit comprising one or more second walls, wherein the bottom face is configured to mate with the one or more second walls. 
     
     
       11. The storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the actinically opaque material substantially attenuates an amplitude of at least one wavelength of radiation passing through the material. 
     
     
       12. The storage unit of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one wavelength is associated with curing of at least one photopolymer. 
     
     
       13. The storage unit of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one wavelength is associated with curing of a class of photopolymers. 
     
     
       14. A method of additive fabrication, comprising:
 producing at least one part from a photopolymer resin via additive fabrication, the photopolymer resin located in a container that is a component of an additive fabrication device; 
 removing the container from the additive fabrication device; and 
 attaching a lid to the container, 
 wherein the lid and the container comprise an actinically opaque material and comprise at least one region of actinically transparent material on a bottom face of the container. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the additive fabrication device comprises at least one source of actinic radiation, and wherein the at least one region of actinically transparent material is configured to be positioned such that the actinic radiation may be transmitted to the photopolymer resin through the at least one region when the container is installed as the component of the additive fabrication device.